ATULPRASAD SEN

Atulprasad Sen was a noted Bengali composer, lyricist and singer, but is largely remembered as a musician and composer. His songs centred on  patriotism, devotion and love. The sufferings he experienced in his life found their way into his lyrics; and this has made his songs full of pathos.

Sen was born on October 20, 1871 in Dhaka but his family hailed from the village Magor in South Bikrampur, Faridpur. Yesterday marked his 143rd birth anniversary.

Sen tremendously contributed to Bangla literature and as a contemporary of Rabindranath, Sen occupies a distinguished place as a composer of some 200 songs which bear his distinctive mark, like those of Kazi Nazrul Islam and Dwijendralal Roy. He had mastery over Indian classical music and was also deft in the Lucknow style of Thumri, and Chaiti and Kajri of North Indian style. Sen is credited with introducing the thumri style in Bangla music. He also pioneered Ghazal's in Bengali, composing about six or seven ghazals.

Sen assimilated a number of styles in his songs, though most of his songs are devotional. Some of his popular compositions are “Moder Gorob Moder Asha”, “Michhe Tui Bhabish Mon”, “Sobare Bash Re Bhalo”, “Bodhua, Nid Nahi Ankhipate”, “Ke Abar Bajay Banshi” and “Bolo Bolo Bolo Sobey”.

After completion of Entrance examination in 1890, Sen studied at Presidency College in Kolkata, and then went to London to study law. After successfully becoming a lawyer, he returned to Bengal, and started a law practice in Rangpur and Kolkata. Later he moved to Lucknow, where he became the president of the Oudh Bar Association and the Oudh Bar Council.

Compiled by Correspondent